Fourth of July holiday can be harrowing for pets

Independence Day celebrations can be a frightening time for animals; loud fireworks can send pets scurrying out of the house or yard in search of security or shelter.

Long Beach Animal Care Services reminds all pet owners to save themselves and their pets from this by following a few simple suggestions:

-- Keep pets indoors, if possible, or confined to a secure area (never tether an animal because it can lead to more harm or an accidental death). -- Double-check yard gates to make sure pets cannot escape. -- Make certain pets are wearing identification, including the name and current telephone number of owner.

Anyone who loses an animal in the cities of Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, Signal Hill or Cerritos should visit www.petharbor.com, or the city's pet lost and found, at www.longbeach.gov/acs.

For pets not found online, visit the local shelter in person on Thursday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St.

The shelter will be closed Wednesday, but animal control officers will be responding to emergency calls, such as stray and injured animals, and animals that have bitten or scratched others.

Animal care staff will contact owners of lost pets with identification tags or microchips. Animals with identification will be held for 14 days. Animals without identification will be held for a minimum of six days before being evaluated for adoption.